Oak Cottage is a Second Empire 'General Grant' style Victorian - which underwent an over 3 and a half year restoration. This structure has been lovingly restored from the top of the Mansard roof to the floor of the walk-out basement. Oak Cottage now includes all new heating, all new plumbing, brand new 6 bedroom septic system, new well, new electric, new fixtures, new appliances, new carpeting, new kitchen, plus 4 brand new baths (2 full + 2 half.)

And the only thing better than what is *new* at Oak Cottage - is what is OLD! ~~ Absolutely NO preservation effort has been spared. Every element possible has been authentically restored. The cedar siding and stone foundation survived time in overall excellent condition. The plaster walls, woodwork, and trim (including the extensive first floor picture framing details) have been preserved and restored wherever possible. The original windows were rebuilt by hand -and the broken glass replaced with antique glass rather than replica. The process has been extremely labor intense - but the result is priceless.

The first floor consists of a formal parlor, a formal dining room, a large kitchen, a great room, an informal parlor (or first floor office), a powder room, and a 9' x 16' mixed use room (which has a separate entrance, a breath taking view of the mill and the pond, as well as plumbing and electric to accommodate laundry facilities) PLUS 2 covered porches.

On the second floor you'll find all 6 bedrooms and 2 full baths (one bath is accessed from a common hallway and one is located off the master bedroom.)

The 3rd floor had once been divided into 3 children's rooms. This space has been opened into one large room and a half bath (perfect for use as a home office.)

Oak Cottage also has a walk-out unfinished basement.

In addition to the house, the property offers a 2 story 'Apple Cider Distillery' / Carriage House (built in 1828 - while owned by Ephriam Marsh.) This 'mill' (once powered by a water wheel) consists of approximately 1,400 square feet ~ PLUS a large storage attic.

The 1+ acre property also has a private pond (which is great for fishing!) And it is located within an easy NYC commuting distance. (Less than a 5 minute drive to the train station - and about a one hour drive into Manhattan.)

Oak Cottage and the Mill are located at the peak of Historic Schooley's Mountain near the center of Schooley's Mountain Historic district - in scenic Long Valley-Washington Township (Morris County) New Jersey. This property was a contributing factor to the designation of this area as a National Historic District. Because of this contribution, Oak Cottage has every protection and benefit afforded properties on the National Historic Register. Oak Cottage is also on the New Jersey register of historic places. And, in 2007, it received the "Best Historic Preservation Work in Progress" Award.

Oak Cottage (also known as 'The General Grant' and 'The Gem of the Mountain') is very rich in history. It is likely one of the first homes in the region to display the Second Empire (General Grant) style. Many well known historic figures are said to have visited 'The Gem of the Mountain'. Schooley’s Mountain was the location of one of this country's very first “health resorts” - due in part to the local "Mineral Springs". It boasted several grand resort hotels - with 300 to 425 rooms each.

(1)As the Schooley's Mountain resort grew in popularity, wealthier summer residents began building cottages for themselves which were considered romantic, suitable for rural homes, and compatible with the natural landscape. These cottages were built as close to the grand hotels as possible. Note that Oak Cottage was built directly across the street from the main entrance to the very elite Heath House grand resort hotel. This desirable location may be explained by the fact that the Marsh family owned both the Heath House and Oak Cottage.

Oak Cottage (The Gem of the Mountain) itself is featured on at least two postcards. Schooley’s Mountain was *the* summer community - populated by America’s elite. (2)Some noted visitors to Schooley's Mountain include: Thomas Edison, Vice President George Dallas, Governor Edward Coles, General J. Chadwalader, Governor William Pennington, E.D. Morgan, the Vanderbilts, C.V.S. Roosevelt, and Ulysses S. Grant (along with his family members.) ~~ Oak Cottage's Second Empire style became Grant's chosen and utilized style of architecture during his presidency. ~ [Due to his fond memories of Oak Cottage? ... We like to think so. ;)]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~“Historic preservation educates and enriches the mind and spirit of a people. ... we who are the stewards of this priceless legacy ... may we accept with deep resolve the obligation to bequeath it—as unaltered as possible—to future generations.”

Source; Stephan Castellanos, FAIA, California State architect.

HISTORIC OAK COTTAGE was featured in the Jan/Feb 2010 issue of "PRESERVATION"! It has also been featured on radio talk shows in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey and has been featured in The Daily Record, The Star Ledger, the Observer Tribune, and the NY Times.Read the Daily Record articles at: dailyrecord.com